Hardest Working Young Man I Ever Knew:
I was first introduced to Austin as a young teenage boy looking for a job as a mason/concrete laborer. As always, I was hesitant to hire someone so young and inexperienced given my history with workers this age - they had never worked out in the past. So a week or so went by, and I still had not returned Austin's call about a job. He, however; showed up at my shop one day and introduced himself. So for his efforts I figured "Why not?" He told me the date of his last day of school and I told him be at my shop the following Monday to start.
Monday arrived and of course Austin had made arrangements to be dropped off early at my shop that morning to begin his first day with me at KR Concrete & Masonry. I had a garage floor scheduled, so when everyone arrived we headed to the job site to prepare for the concrete trucks to arrive and begin pouring. My older employees, like myself, were skeptical of this day because in the past their first day is sometimes their last when they realize the work involved. We arrived at the job and Austin immediately gets out of the truck and begins unloading tools and asking questions. The concrete showed up and we began placing it and screeding it. Austin had told me he didn't have much experience with concrete and that most of what he had learned so far was with brick and block. One of Austin's many jobs that day was to rake and level the concrete.. Everyone that worked with me that day was amazed by his work ethic and his ability to rake concrete. He did it better than some young men that have raked concrete for many years. The rest of the day continued as we finished the concrete, cleaned up, and headed home. I still remember one of my employees that day making the comment about Austin- "Wow, what a worker".
What a Worker he sure was. Over the next few years, I would have the pleasure of working with, teaching, guiding, and also learning myself with Austin. From the very first day of meeting him, I seen a lot of myself in Austin. Every day was a pleasure to mentor and work alongside such a great young man. I looked forward to working with Austin with every new day, challenge and project. There will forever be a void both in my heart and at KR Concrete.
So many of my customers were also impressed with his talent, manners, and just his all around work ethic. Many of them said - it's great you have your son out here working with you, and I would have to explain that he is an employee. BUT, there wasn't a day from the moment I met Austin where I wouldn't have been honored to call him my own
son. There were many days when the jobs would also become very stressful with breakdowns or just general problems. Only after a few months of working with me, Austin knew and learned when I needed my space, or when he needed to just make me laugh.
I looked forward to the days when I would get to work with, and alongside you, because I knew I could always depend on you for your great quality in workmanship, and a incredible friendship . It will be impossible to ever pour concrete again and not think of you. That void will never be filled in my heart. Austin - I will forever miss you as an employee, a co-worker, a friend, and family member. Be at peace now, and please know how much you have affected so many lives with your amazing soul and spirit.